Abbreviating machine



Oct.. 23 1923'.

A. WELTNER ABBREVIATING MACHINE Orgal Filed Oct. 50, l1920 5 Sheets--Sheet` 1 EJE ATTORNEY oct. 23, 1923. #A A. WELTNER ABBREVIATING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 30, 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNIY 'Oct 23 1923.

A.. WELTNER ABBREVIATING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 30', 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 fl WEATHER.

, IINVENTQR o l By 65a ATTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A. WELTNER ABBREVIATING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 30, 1920 h/EL TNER. ,NYENTOR Arrdnuzy Octa 23, 1923. 1,471,637 A. WELTNER ABBREVIATING MACHINE Original Filed Oct., 30, 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 cordance with m Patented Oct. 23, 1923.

UNITED STATES 1,411,637 PATENT OFFICE.

AKOS WELTNER, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.

ABBREVIATING MACHINE.

Application led October 30, 1920,7 Seria1 No. 420,791. Renewed January 20, 1923.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, Akos IVELTNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Youngstown, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Abbreviating Machines, of which the following is a specification. Y

This invention relates to aI machine or ap aratus for the transmission of messages, an more particularly to what. I have termed an abbreviating machine.

One of the 'main objects of the invention is to provide a machine of simple construction and operation by means of which a message may be sent by sending a key o-r secondary message by which the machine at the receiving end may be set so as to reproduce the primary message which may consist of a great number of words. A further object is to provide a machine which is of accurate operation and eliminates errors. Further objects will appear from the detailed description.

In the drawings:

Figures l, la, and lb are a partial top plan view of a machine constructed in acinvention.

Figure 2 is a ragmentary side view.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side view with the side board or panel removed.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail of one of the letter bars and one of the pins.

In constructing the machine I provide a boxlike frame l which is open at its top and slidably receives a plurality of letter bars 2. These bars are mounted within frame 1 for independentlongitudinal lmovement, and each bar is provided at its forward portion, and on its upper edge, with the letters of the alphabet arranged in arbitrary order, as illustrated, and with the numerals 1, 2, 3 and 4, these numerals being used to indicate punctuation marks such as the comma, period, question mark, and 'a space to designate the space between words, respectively. In practice I provide nine hundred of these bars, the bars being divided into groups of thirty bars each 4transversely of the machine each group constituting what I term a,

division. I have illustrated one complete division of themachine and a part 'of a second division, as this will be suflicient to give a clear understanding of the construction and operation of the machine as a whole. Each bar is divided longitudinally into thirty spaces, these spaces being normally aligned transversely of the machine and constitutmg sections, the sections beingspaced apart for a purpose to be laterdisclosed. I employ in the machine the printers system of measurement which consists of seventy-two points tothe inch, and each character on each of the bars 2 occupies a space of six points or approximately one-twelfth of an inch, and the bar s approximately one twelfth of an inch in width so that the forward portion of each bar may be consid ered as divided intothirty squares fmeasuring siX points or one-twelfth of `an inch cach way. In the same manner each section of each bar may be considered as divided into thirty squares corresponding to the squares of the characters at the forward portion of the bar. In this manner I estab-` lish a definite relation between the characters at the forward portion, and the spacesV of the sections, of each of the bars.

Due to the great amount of space which would be required to illustrate the machine in full, I have illustrated dia'grammatically4 in FiguresflSl and 1b of the drawings the various sections of the divisions illustrated,

these figures being considered as a prolongation ofFigure 1Q In Figures l, la and lb-I have illustrated one and a half divisions et cetera. The spaces in which the pins are placed in the sections of the respective bars are indicated by numbers under thehead-v ing pin spacing]7 these numbers referring Vof the letter bars, thirty bars constituting one division as previously stated. In Figi to the space of a section in which the pin under consideration is placed, it being understood that each of the sections is considered as divided into thirty spaces corresponding to the spaces Yoccupied by the let-V ters at the forward end of the letter bar, as previously explained. p

`Each bar is provided with thirty, pins 3 of rectangular cross section, these pins beingl freely vslidable through the bar andjhaving f their lower ends, when the bars are in nor-` mal position, resting upon the fiat top of a block 4; secured in frame l. LThe forward face 4 of this block is inclined downwardly toward the front of the machine at an angle tion, the lengthsA of the pins bear a definite relationfto their positions in the sections.` The pin occupyin 'the firstl square of any section will norma ly project above the bar a `distance ofsix points or one letter space,

the pin in the-second Vsquare of any section j projecting two-letter'v spaces, etc., the length of the pins increasing uniformly by Vone. letter space as they approach the outer or forward end of thesection. This will beclear from Figure 3 in which the pins are shown as Varranged inVV eschelon or stepped order. When the bar 2 is pulled outwardly the pins 3 will travel` upon the inclined face 4a of block 4, these pins sliding freely through the vbar so' that .each of the pins, successively,

will be lowered one letter space for each letter space through which the bar is moved or drawn outwardly.

rlhe sections of thebars containing the pins are separated by Vspaces 5 which, for convenience, may be termed stop bar spaces. A stop/bar 6 extends transversely of the machine above the letterv bars 2, in each of the "spaces 5. As will be understood, there will "be: thirty of these stop bars, one for each section. The stop bar is provided at. each end with any arm 7j havinga longitudinally extending slot` 8 which receives apin 9 car- Y ried. by a bar 10 slidable in brackets 1`1-se-` cured to uprights^12 which areV secured on the side offral'ne 1. Bar 10 is: connected by crossed braces 13 to a lower bar 14 the lower edge ofwhich is provided with a rack 15 which engages with apinion 16 secured onv a stub shaft 168L rotatably mounted in one of the vuprights 12. Bar 14 is provided at the other portion' of its lower edge with a'series of characters 17 including the letters of the alphabet arranged vin alphabetical order and the numerals 1` 2, 3 and 4. These characters coact-with an index point 18 secured on the lower end of' the other upright 12. Arm 7 is provided in its lower portion with a longitudinally extending slot-19 one edge of which is cut to form a rack 20 which mesheswith a pinion21 carried by stub shaft 22rotatably supported through bar14.l The upper portion of bar 7 is provided with a series of characters .23 corresponding to. the characters onfbar 14'. By means of rack 15 andy pinionmlV the stop barg6. maybe adjusted longitudinallyof the machine,- vertical'- adjustment of` the stop, bar being effected byv the rack 2O and pinion 21. "The set .of the stop'b'ar'is indicated accuratelyby the series of characters 17 and 23 so that by giving the thirty pins toy each bar and' the pinsy of each 'bar of each division being differently arranged. This gives a total Vof 27,000 pins all of which occupy relatively different positions, but these pins willjnormally be disposed in rows transversely of the machine, there being thirty pins in each row. When itA lso is desired to sendamessage, the sto-p bars* l 6 are adjusted vertically at such a height as to permit Vthe pinsito pass freely'beneaththem. After this has been done the message which is to be sent, which ymay/be termed f the text,` is spelled out by drawing out the'.

individual bars so as to expose the leters in proper order at the forward edge of a reading bar 24 whichextends. across the front of the'niachine above and closely adjacent to the upper edges of bars 2. After the text has been thus set up so as to be` read directly from the bars 2 along the .forward edge of reading bar 24, the. stop bars. 6 are* adjusted sothat each of these barsv is inV contact with a row of pins 3, there being.

thirty pins toV a row in view ofthe fact that the pins 3 are lowered one letter space for each letter spacelthat'the ,bars 2. are moved outwardly. This insures that outward movement ofy all of the bars will be positively limited by the. stop 4bars 6 and; pins 3 after the stop bars haveV been` adjusted. vBy sending a mesagei, which may be called. the keyl message, consisting of .sixty letters, the positionsV at which the respective stop bars areV set may be accurately indicated to the .operator at the receiving end.

By setting the stop. bars .at the indicated positions on the machine at the receiving end, i

and then drawing the letter bars-2 outwardly until the pins-carried thereby contact withthe stop bars, the text originally setup on the machine at thesending end will be accurately reproduced. In this manner a message of 900 letters, or approximatelyY 180 words, -may be readily'sent by sending a key message of 60 letters. .Should the text consist of lmore than 180 words itmay beset up in installments of'9'00letters each, the letters to designate thev positions of the stop bars for lthe successive installments beingL noted, after which the bars 2fmay be set; tomV give these letters in their; propery order and n-successive groups of'60 letters` the stop.v

bars being again adjusted to give the proper set forv reproducing these-keyletters, after front edge of the reading bar 24 in proper order and successiveV groups.4 The operator of the machine at the receiving endcan readily determine the successive sets for the stopbars, and by setting these bars successively in accordance with these. primary i groups of key letters, can reproduce the text in successive installments so as to read it directly from the bars 2, each installment.

being, of course,transcribed after each set of the machine'is completed. In this manner messages of any numberof words desired may be transmitted by sending a key message of but 60 letters. This provides simple and eiiicient means whereby messages of any desired length may be transmitted, these messages being absolutely secret and it being impossible for any unauthorized person to decipher the original message or text.

I have illustrated and described herein, for the sake of clearness, the simplest form of my machine. I have found that by increasing the number of pins to each section of the letter bars, and providing suitable Vstop bars, the total number of stop bars a section necessary may be materially reduced. Also, instead of setting the letter bars 2 directly by hand, a suitable key board such as that employed on the ordinary typewritling machine may be utilized, suitable connections being provided between the keys and the bars 2. As will be understood, and as indicated herein, variations in details of construction and arrangement of the parts of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the field and scope of the same, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claimsy in this application in which the preferred form only of my invention is disclosed.

What I claim is l. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of independently adjustable letter bars, and adjustable Vmeans for positively limiting movement of said bars individually beyond a predetermined distance in one direction.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of independently adjustable letter bars, stop members carried by said bars, and stop bars' adjustable for en` Y gagement with said stop members for positively limiting movement of the letter bars in one direction.

3.. In an apparatus'of the character described, a plurality of independently adjustable letter bars, pins ofdifferent lengths carried bysaid bars, and stop bars adjustable to different heights for contact with said pins to prevent movement of the letter bars in one direction beyond a predetermined distance.

4. In an apparatuszof the characterdescribed, a plurality of letter bars mounted for independent longitudinal movement, each of said bars being provided with a plurality of characters and with a plurality of pins corresponding in'number to the characters, the pins of the different bars being differently spaced and of varying lengths,.and stop bars extending transversely of said letter bars and. Vindependently adjustable toward and away from the same. f

`5. In an apparatus of the character described, a frame, a plurality of letter bars mounted in said frame for independent longitudinal movement, pins of different lengths carried by said bars and freely slidable through the same, the bars being each provided with a plurality of characters and the pins bearing a definite relation to said characters, means for supporting the pins so as to permit downward movement of the same when the bars are moved outwardly, and stop bars positioned above and extending transversely of the letter bars, said stop bars being independently adjustable toward and away from, and longitudinally of, the letter bars.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a frame, a plurality of letter bars mounted for independent longitudinal movement and each provided with a plurality of characters on its upper edge, vertical pins carried by said bars and having free sliding movement'through the bars, said pins being of different lengths, independently adjustable stop bars extending transversely of theV letter bars and above the same, means for adjusting said stop bars vertically and horizontally, and means for indicating the verlgical and horizontal adjustment of the stop ars.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a frame, a plurality of letter bars mounted for independent longitudinal movement toward the front of the frame, blocks beneath said letter bars and having their forward faces inclined downwardly vand forwardly, pins freely slidable through the letter bars and having their lower ends resting upon said blocks, the letter bars being provided at their forward ends with a series of spaced characters and the pins having a definite relation to said characters, the pins being of different heights and the pins of the different bars occupying different positions relative to the characters, the inclination of the forward faces of the blocks bearing a deniterelation to the outward movement Y of the letter-ba.rs,fstop bars positioned abovel seriesv of' eharfaetei'sspaced longitudinallycf ois'. 'l the1 bar, saidl bans being divided: longitudif.; Y nal'lyntofaplurality of Sections corresponde.` 1 5` andv extendingtransversely: of thelettenb ars; means; for adjusting said stop ,bars vel-tis.y cally: and horizontally,` and" means forI indi-J Y eating the adjustment of the respective bars. v, soriloed,V a.v plurality-jef' letter. barsy mounted 'foriindependentlongtudinai movement', and.' each; provided; atdits sforwardendawith ai;

ingin length; to the length ofV said3v series of clialaeteifs,` saidr sections beingspac'ze-d apart'-, pins .inserted inthe respective; sections ,ofthe baits andffreely i slidable through Vthe sammy the pinsk for each section offt'he barnbeingpor;

siti'oned inY definite nelaton; tothe @hals-Mmm and each pinJfbengY ina diferent position; relative-to said Qharaoteifs; the; pinsI-off thev 1 different barst being; Vgiierent-ly :antangedi K and the lengths: of the pins; o the respeetve.

to; permit-r downwardl n'ioveliientV thereofa distance `d'nreszpeoxx(flinguethe outward move- *ment/oiv the Ibai,-'stopv extending tran'sfor' adjustinggsaid stoprbars vertically andi lhoriz.ontal'ly-` independently of each othen,

and means. for -in'dioatingthe adjustmentof" i Y n v 35V the'stopbars. v Y hij-anl apparatus of lthe oliaraeterjdeseribecll,-`a plurality ofS independently mov-=- able letten'barsaeaoh provided with a-eom-- eaohofwvhieheomespon 'to one of fileshar-V 'act'ersfoff the alphabet, membersV adapted' to.A

bers. .p Y

Inf testimony Viii-hereoffI affxmy signature;

Y AKQSWELTNER y l, Y versely iof and above theIetter--ba'rs,-meatns f 8. In an apparatus of the Character' de-'a' :pl-ete alphabetl andv withustifying member-s,"'lv f y 

